View Full Version : Rough Water Props...
Guys i am wanting to get a prop specificly for rough water... I am currently running a 3 blade 21p on a honda 150 strapped to a lund 1825 explorer. It does great on flat to choppy water but when sheet hits the fan and it is to rough to motor on the prop leaves alot to be desired... I was thinking anout a 4 or even 5 blede prop??/ Whats your opinions on these and will they fit a honda??
I Fish Therefore I Am
07-19-2009, 06:56 PM
Kino,
I can't comment about honda. I had the same problem with my Crestliner with my large engine in rough water. I went to a 4 blade stainless for my Evinrude and the difference was night and day. Great bite for rough water, better planning speed but just all around better performance when the conditions are less than ideal. The only problem is they are expensive but if you are keeping the boat then perhaps it might be worthwhile. Most dealers have loaners to try. Talk with your dealer and he will assit you in that matter. Once I used the loaner and took her out for a day I was hooked. Once again talk with a honda dealer as his expertise will be important so you don't make any unnecessary purchases.
Bud
propmann
07-19-2009, 09:28 PM
Guys i am wanting to get a prop specificly for rough water... I am currently running a 3 blade 21p on a honda 150 strapped to a lund 1825 explorer. It does great on flat to choppy water but when sheet hits the fan and it is to rough to motor on the prop leaves alot to be desired... I was thinking anout a 4 or even 5 blede prop??/ Whats your opinions on these and will they fit a honda??
Go with a 4 blade prop with a large blade diameter will work the best. Whats your rpms now with the 21 pitch and is it aluminum or stainless now?
Go with a 4 blade prop with a large blade diameter will work the best. Whats your rpms now with the 21 pitch and is it aluminum or stainless now?
My blad is a factory stainless prop. Max rpms for the engine is 6000 and it runs around57-5850 With two people and full of gas and livewell it runs around 5600-5700. I think its about as perfect as it could be for where I live but both trips to erie in the rough stuff at slow speeds and rough water made it tough to keep on plane while trimmed up and it cavitated also.
propmann
07-20-2009, 07:08 AM
The Powertech OFS4 19 4 blade would be the best prop for you.
Kino,
The fact that your motor is cavitating in rough water - irrespective of what prop you might happen to have on the boat could indicate that the motor may be mounted too high.
Rough water is one good way to check for the proper motor height setting. If, when running rough water - with both high and low motor trim settings is a way to check for motor height. If you are consistently getting ventilation during motor operation in rough water, the motor should be dropped down at least one hole. Yes, your smooth water speed will suffer a touch since you will have motor lower unit water drag. i.e. the motor will on average be deeper in the water causing more drag and less boat speed. But, if when you are running rough water, you can't get the prop to hook up, you need more lower unit in the water so that the prop can consistentely get a good prop water bite.
I also agree on the choice of the power tech 19P 4 blade as a good choice for your boat.
You will lose a touch of speed, but you can always switch back to the 3 blade prop for smooth water operation and smooth water high speed cruising.
Take care
REW